The source of problems with the F-35 was the attempt to turn it into a «work horse» for everybody, combining contradictory requirements from various types of Air Force in one aircraft. Naturally, the variations of F-35 seriously differ from each other, but the «common platform» led to serious difficulties for the adjustment of the aircraft for specific requirements of this or that arm: the price tag of the fighter was constantly growing.
http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_06_04/77045699/
Citat:Joint Strike Fighter restructuring continued throughout 2011 and into 2012, adding to cost and schedule. The new program baseline projects total acquisition costs of $395.7 billion, an increase of $117.2 billion (42 percent) from the prior 2007 baseline.
Full rate production is now planned for 2019, a delay of 6 years from the 2007 baseline.
Unit costs per aircraft have doubled since start of development in 2001.
Critical dates for delivering warfighter requirements remain unsettled because of program uncertainties.
While the total number of aircraft DOD plans to buy has not changed, it has for 3 straight years reduced near-term procurement quantities, deferring aircraft and costs to future years.
Since 2002, the total quantity through 2017 has been reduced by three-fourths, from 1,591 to 365.
